Freddy Adu has returned stateside to resume his wayward soccer career, signing with the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the second-division North American Soccer League.
After 11 clubs in 11 years, the one-time prodigy from the D.C. suburbs has been running out of options. He lasted just three months with his previous club in Finland, rated the 35th-best league in Europe.
So Adu, 26, has reunited with perhaps the only coach who could set him back on the right path: Thomas Rongen, his mentor with the U.S. under-20 national team eight years ago.
Adu has begun training with the Rowdies, who are two games into the 20-match “fall season.” The club is hoping paperwork is completed in time for this Saturday’s home game against FC Edmonton, but in all likelihood, he will have to wait until July 25 against the visiting Fort Lauderdale Strikers.
Credit: Washington Post